Thank Brenne for this, because I wasn't actually going to continue this, but she inspired me! TW: FLUFF.
The day Clare could finally tell Stanley he was allowed to leave, the twins had already been in the hospital for almost a week. Apparently, Stan had not only looked starved, but he really had been malnourished and dehydrated, although that was really just icing on the cake at that point. Either way, it made for a longer hospital stay- much to his chagrin.
"C'mon Ford! It'll be easy! Ya just gotta hijack a pair of crutches-
"You can't have crutches for at least a month."
"That's what they said. I told you I was joking about you wheeling me around." Stan pouted, arms crossed against his chest. "I can move fine on my own!"
Ford rolled his eyes, but the way he was fighting a smile gave away his amusement. "Stanley. I promised Clare you wouldn't hurt yourself further! Why are you making this difficult?" He mimicked Stan's movement, arms crossed and gave him a stern look. "We are not running away and I am definitely not letting you walk by yourself." His glare dissolved into a smirk and he snickered when Stanley groaned in annoyance, his plans foiled.
"Guess you're really the one stuck with me, aren't you Stanley?"
"Don't push yer luck, Nerd. I could sneak outta this place and you wouldn't even notice." Stan stated smugly. Ford raised a brow.
"Oh, really? What are you going to do, jump out the third story window?"
Stan laughed at that. "Pffft, what?! Who do I look like, Tom Cruise? Nah- I'd just walk out. You'd be surprised at what people tend to ignore. If ya ain't in bed, ya can fend for yourself."
Before Ford could come up with an adequate response, a knock sounded from the door. Ford looked up from his seat and adjusted his glasses. They spoke simultaneously,
"Come in!"
The door swung open and Stan grinned.
"Well if it ain't the doctor herself! And what can I do for ya, Dr. Johnson?" Stan sent a playful wink her way and Clare laughed. Had she known this guy was such a flirt, she might not have told him how she was the one who had called Stanford up. This whole ' you're my hero,' business was a little much for her, even though she knew he was just playing around. Ford flashed her a quick, grateful smile.
Ford was a surprise to her. At first, she had thought him rude and inconsiderate, but after the last few days, they'd all become good friends. At least she thought so. After several days of getting to know the man- who was much happier than he had been- it was clear Ford just tended to speak his mind. Since the twins had fought and supposedly made up, he was most kind and gentle. She couldn't recall seeing him scowl since that first day.
He was also a huge nerd. After she had realized that, it was hard for her not to like him.
It was also mind-boggling to think she had reunited twins who had been lost from one another for over two decades. The very thought was barely conceivable.
She was almost sad to see them go.
Giving Stan a, 'haha very funny' look she tapped her clipboard. "Well, actually, it more of what I can do for you...I've come to give you the green light!" She nearly squealed out her news. She knew Stan hated hospitals and she was excited for him and his brother.
Ford jumped out of his chair with a loud, "Haha!" Clare really did squeak and flinch. He gave her an apologetic glance.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Before Clare could say more than 'it's fine' Ford turned to Stan,
"You know what this means! It means you don't have any reason to sneak out! And now that Clare is here your one hundred percent not allowed to leave on crutches."
Stan groaned and splayed back on the bed dramatically, "You just gave away my plans, Poindexter!" He pulled his arm back, reaching for his pillow to throw it at Ford. Clare quickly caught his arm-
"Nah-ah, I don't think so Mr." Claire leveled a firm glower towards his strangely innocent, wide eyes. "You've hurt yourself enough, don't you think Ford?" She glanced at Ford, standing on the other side of the bed. He nodded.
"Seriously, Stanley. Remember the worse you struggle, the longer you'll be injured, and the longer I'll have to 'wheel you around', as you say." Ford smirked and Stan gapped at them both disbelievingly.
"You guys really aren't gonna let me leave with an ounce of dignity, are you?"
Ford's chuckle only made Clare giggles worsen. Ford shook his head,
"Nope." Suddenly Ford was swept away by a fit of laughter, to the point where he was doubled over, wiping tears from his eyes. He gasped for air.
Stan was holding back laughter himself, "Ford, what's so funny?!" Stan asked. Ford could barely look him in the eyes.
"If- if you think I'm bad...wait until you meet my roommate!" Ford doubled over again and Stan burst into laughter with him.
If the worst thing he would have to endure was meeting Ford's probably equally nerdy roommate-
Well, it couldn't possibly be worse than anything that had already happened, now could it?
...
Stan's face was as red as it could humanly get.
After needing help getting his clothes on- apparently legs braces and bandages all along your chest made putting pants and a t-shirt on very difficult- Stan really wasn't sure what was more humiliating.
His brother helping him change, or being carried to a wheelchair. Without warning, Ford had scooped him up bridal style and carried him all of the eight feet from the bathroom to the wheelchair beside his bed.
"Ford!" Stan whined as he was lifted up as easily as if he had been a paper bag. Ford noted this away for future reference but otherwise didn't mention his brothers lacking weight. His brow furrowed in concern for a moment.
"Yes? Did I hurt you?" Ford asked worriedly. Stan rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, because I can feel tons when I'm doped up Vicodin." Stan's face was already red and Ford realized his concern was unnecessary. Stan really was embarrassed about this, wasn't he?
Not that Ford blamed him. He didn't like it when Fiddleford forced him to bed or made him eat properly. He supposed the embarrassment of being unable to take care of oneself was just like that, only a thousand times worse. The thought made him laugh.
A thought came to him just as he was about to reply. Something Stanley used to say to him after a hard day of school. It's just me and a swab of toilet paper pluggin' yer nose, Sixer! It doesn't care if you cry and neither do I.
"Stanley, it's just me. You don't have to feel weird, you know." Ford answered simply. He made it to the chair and did his best to amply set Stan down.
Stan seemed to think about that for a moment before blinking back to reality and giving Ford an accusing glare as he shifted in the chair to get more comfortable.
"Hey...no, no, no! You can't give me my awesome advice back to me! That's against the rules." Stan grumbled. "Anyway, Clare's sitting right there, so it doesn't count."
Clare, who was staring at an alert on her phone, hummed as she looked up. "Hmm? What is it? Oh!" She smiled and stood up, dropping her phone into her coat pocket. "You're ready to go it! Aw, my boys growing up so fast." She faked wiping a tear away and both twins distracted from their 'argument', snorted.
"What does that even mean?" Stan asked, unable to keep the smile off his face, despite the supposedly surly comment. She got up and ruffled his hair lightly. Stan huffed but didn't move to stop it.
"It means I'm going to miss you two." She looked to both of them. Ford's smile softened.
"Thank you, Dr. Jo-" She narrowed her eyes at him. He cleared his throat and started again.
"Heh, Thank you, Clare." Ford glanced down at his brother before returning his gaze to Clare, "For everything."
Clare opened her mouth to speak, but Stan beat her to it.
"Yeah, uh. Thanks for not letting me die in that alleyway. Sorry if I punched one of your doctor friends or somethin'." Stan chuckled self-consciously.
"I really don't like hospitals, but uh...you make this one better." Stan gave her a sincere, heart-melting smile she couldn't help but return. That is until he winked.
"So since you already have this Nerd's number-"
"Our number Stanely."
Stan waved away the sentiment, "Yeah yeah, whatever. Then I guess you have no excuse not to call?" Stan ended the sentence with a note of uncertainty, and...hope. Clare sighed with a smile.
"Of course." She turned and shot towards the door with a sniff.
"Okay! I'm done with mushy stuff! Let's get you two home safe. You ready?"
Ford looked down just as Stan looked up. Stan grinned.
"You ready, Sixer?"
Ford laughed. "Another roommate, how will I endure?" Ford held the chair by the handlebars and pushed. Stan barely heard what came next.
"What an adventure."
...
Stan may have hated being pushed around, but he had to admit one thing. After all, was said and done, the future was looking bright again once more. He had his brother back, a friend, another- he really hoped this Fiddlenerd guy didn't hate him- friend on the way and...peace. All his enemies thought he was dead. No one should have survived what he had.
He felt himself nodding off. Being awake was exhausting. Stan closed his eyes, dreams, and hopes that had never truly died springing to life as he fell asleep.
For the first time in twenty years, Stanley Pines slept soundly.
I wanted to continue this chapter but I really have to get to bed. Sorry if there are any horrible errors, it's late and I'm tired, but I just really needed some fluff. I hope it makes sense and you don't hate it! :3 love ya'll and don't die!
